Earl W. Henning, 85

Earl W. Henning, 85, of Alanson, passed away at his home in the presence of his beloved wife of 62 years, Irene (nee Hardy), and his loving family who were "the most important thing in life."

He was the loving father of Keith (Mildred) Henning of Harbor Springs, Claudia Kadlitz of Shelby Township, Pamela (Richard) Cushman of Petoskey, Deborah Lyon of Petoskey, Damien (Martha) Henning of Alanson, Felicia (Jan) VanZelfden of Holland, Mich., Jeffrey (Kathryn) Henning of Alanson and Laura (Brad) Armstrong of Northville, Mich. He was the proud grandpa to 27 grandchildren and great-grandpa to 13.

Earl was born in Detroit on Aug. 10, 1923. He graduated from Denby High in Detroit in 1942. He proudly served his country in World War II for three years, 10/28/42-9/27/45, as a USAA (United States Army/Airforce) cadet and airplane engine mechanic and pilot. He was honorably discharged.

Earl met Irene Hardy, the love of his life, and married her on June 27, 1946, and they began their family in Detroit.

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Earl served selflessly and valiantly from 11/29/45-5/06/70 on the Detroit Fire Department as a firefighter and finally in the rank of lieutenant before retiring after 25 years. He was on the front lines during the Detroit Riots of 1967 with his men.

He moved his family to Northern Michigan, where he was an entrepreneur, developer and operator of El Rancho Alanson Camper's Country Club, a unique resort he designed based on years of "trailering" experiences with his wife/children on family vacations across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Earl wore many hats of service to family, community and country over the years:

- member of Knights of Columbus

- received Class A certification as a fire instructor from Madonna College in Detroit with his expertise in fire analysis

- provided instruction as a licensed/certified course Instructor for fire training at North Central Michigan College in the 1970s for the next generation of fire personnel

- licensed journeyman carpenter

- former director of Michigan Association of Private Campground Owners

- professional membership in the Michigan State Police Fire Department's Training Council.

In later years, he and Irene enjoyed their winters traveling in the Rio Grande Valley, where they had their little home in Pharr, Texas. They enjoyed a special Alaskan cruise and an annual anniversary stay on Mackinac Island.

Never one to sit on the sidelines, Earl was the consummate planner. He taught his family by example, to live their dreams with passion; to commit to something with integrity, to have a backup plan to the backup plan; to speak their truth with conviction; to read voraciously and to never stop learning; to fight the good fight even onto death; and, last but not least, to treasure family and to have amazing love for his wife, family and country.